Qatar is under a sort of international media siege for an alleged deal it made with the FIFA executive committee members to obtain the right to Organize FIFA World Cup 2022.
The press demands no less than FIFA to take the right back and implement a new, clean bidding process. Well, I am not sure that will happen as it would result in way too much embarrassment for both parties. A solution that would mitigate a big part of the problem is to actually share the right with the rest of the GCC countries.
I have written about this back in 2012 and I think this proposal is still one worth consideration. I thought at the time "Doha plus another Qatari location could host the opening, two groups, one quarter final, one semi finals and the final, while Dubai/AD, Kuwait City, Manama, Muscat and perhaps Riyadh could take one group each and some quarter finals and one of the semis.
This would result in a more balanced event, culturally more interesting experience and above all totally sustainable legacy and impact for the whole region. A region where the most popular sport is by far the football."
Sport diplomats, think again.
The press demands no less than FIFA to take the right back and implement a new, clean bidding process. Well, I am not sure that will happen as it would result in way too much embarrassment for both parties. A solution that would mitigate a big part of the problem is to actually share the right with the rest of the GCC countries.
This would result in a more balanced event, culturally more interesting experience and above all totally sustainable legacy and impact for the whole region. A region where the most popular sport is by far the football."
Sport diplomats, think again.
It should be taken away - and never given back. Cheating is a horrible way to win something! Too many changes have been made to accommodate playing in a climate where frankly it just doesn't fit. Why should the rest of the world change their schedules to move to the winter, when the whole tournament is based on lies.
ReplyDeleteCheating is horrible, I agree. Any argument also has to consider the fact that football is the single most popular sport in GCC and it's could give a boost to its proper development if the legacy aspect is treated properly.
DeleteThere no way they could host an event in Riyadh.
ReplyDeleteNot even a group, which essentially means 3 matches over 1 week?
DeleteVery Difficult for westerners to get Visas, no alcohol, and not exactly a great place for women to go.
DeleteOk, than UAE can take two venues...:)
Delete